Out-of-School Activities

HC Deb 28 November 2000 vol 357 cc585-6W

Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will exempt drama, dance and singing coaches employed by Stagecoach Theatre Arts from the provisions of the Children Act 1989 requiring Nursery Care Certificate qualifications for those engaged with children aged between four and 16 in out-of-school activities. [140491]

Ms Hodge

The Government are presently reforming the system for regulating child care in England, bringing in new national standards to be regulated by a new Early Years Directorate in Ofsted. We recognise the potential impact of these changes on activity-based organisations such as Stagecoach whose primary purpose is not child care. The Government are therefore considering whether it is appropriate to bring such organisations under the new arrangements. We will take full account of all the concerns raised when we reach a decision.